I am writing this letter, not as an employee of Bayonne Medical Center, but as the daughter of a recent patient. Since December 2008, my stepdad Len, has been coming to Bayonne Medical Center as a patient. Len would never think of going to any other hospital, in fact, my parents live in Verona NJ, about 20 miles from Bayonne and would never consider going to a closer hospital, they loved Bayonne Medical Center that much.

On August 3, 2012, Len was very sick and as a result my mother called 911. The ambulance arrived at my parents’ house and when we spoke to the paramedic and said we would like for Len to be taken to Bayonne, the paramedic said why do you travel so far away when you can go closer to a closer hospital. My mom responded that Len loved Bayonne Medical Center and wouldn’t go anyplace else, he didn’t trust any other hospital. The paramedic called his captain for approval to take Len to Bayonne and Len was taken immediately to Bayonne Medical Center’s emergency department.

Len was admitted to the Critical Care Unit of the hospital and died on August 12, 2012. If you knew my stepdad, he would want me to thank Bayonne Medical Center and let the world know that the hospital took such great care of him.

First, I would like to thank Len’s physicians, Dr. Peter Wong, Cardiologist who Len affectionately called “the Man”, Dr. Howard Levine, Internist, Dr. John Hahn, Gastroenterologist, Dr. James Pristolas, Nephrologist and Dr. Larry Byrd, Nephrologist. Thank you for all that you did for Len while he was in your care. My family couldn’t have asked for more skilled, talented and compassionate physicians. My family is eternally grateful for all that you did for Len.

Second, I would like to thank the nursing staff in the Critical Care Unit and the nursing staff in the emergency department. The nursing staff went above and beyond in caring for Len and for that my family is grateful.

To the countless people who stopped my mother in the hallway, or visited her while she was at Len’s bedside in CCU, the people who stopped by my office to offer their prayers and condolences’, to Len’s dialysis family and so many others who continue to ask about my mom, we thank you for your friendship, kindness and thoughtfulness.

In closing, I can’t thank everyone enough for all that you did for Len. I couldn’t ask for a more special group of people to work with everyday.